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Diet Diet and Nutrition

What is Allantoin?

Niki Acker

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Updated: Mar 03, 2024

Allantoin is a chemical compound naturally produced by many organisms, including animals, plants, and bacteria. It is a frequent ingredient in lotions and skin creams, as well as in oral hygiene products, cosmetics, and other toiletries. It is also used in medications for dermatological conditions including acne, impetigo, eczema, and psoriasis. It is effective at very low concentrations, usually from 0.1% to 2%.

The allantois, from which allantoin gets its name, is an embryonic excretory organ present in most mammals, except humans and higher apes, in which the compound accumulates. Animals produce allantois as a byproduct of purine catabolism, in which the waste product uric acid is oxidized and broken down. It is also present in plants including comfrey, sugar beet, tobacco seed, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Herbal extract of comfrey is a popular source of allantoin. It may also be synthesized from animal urea.

Allantoin is odorless, safe, non-toxic, and non-allergenic in both natural and chemically synthesized form. When sold on its own for use in homemade soaps, lotions, and bath products, allantoin is a white, crystalline powder. It is moisturizing and keratolytic, meaning that it causes keratin in the skin to soften. This property helps skin to heal more quickly and to bind moisture more effectively, making products containing this substance useful for dry skin and for healing wounds, burns, and scars. It is also effective against sunburn, chapped lips, cold sores, diaper rash, and similar skin irritations.

Those without specific skin problems can also benefit from products containing allantoin, as they help keep the skin soft, smooth, and healthy. This substance also helps protect the skin against irritants, and may be added to cosmetic products in order to counteract the drying or irritating effects of other ingredients, such as soap, detergents, alcohols, or acids. People with sensitive skin may therefore prefer products with allantoin. The compound has not been proven to reduce the effects of aging, however.

The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

By Niki Acker

"In addition to her role as a The Health Board editor, Niki Foster is passionate about educating herself on a wide range of interesting and unusual topics to gather ideas for her own articles. A graduate of UCLA with a double major in Linguistics and Anthropology, Niki's diverse academic background and curiosity make her well-suited to create engaging content for WiseGeekreaders. "

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Discussion Comments

By anon987125 — On Jan 30, 2015

Is it safe to use allantoin if you're allergic to lanolin?

By StarJo — On Apr 12, 2012

My after-sun body lotion has allantoin in it, and it makes my skin feel so much better. Often, even if I have worn sunscreen while at the beach, I still get a little pink. My skin becomes dry and tight, and the lotion seems to soften it back to its normal state.

I used to use an aloe vera gel after a day in the sun, and while it did cool my skin considerably, it still felt tight. In fact, I think that the alcohol in the product made my skin even drier and a little tighter.

The allantoin lotion is the best thing that I have found to use after a day at the beach. As soon as I exit my shower and towel off, I slather it on all the parched areas.

By OeKc05 — On Apr 11, 2012

I use an allantoin cream during the winter to repair my cracked, dry skin. My hands suffer the most when it is cold out, and sometimes, they even bleed from the intense dryness.

The hand repair cream I use is a mixture of allantoin and almond oil, among other things. It works so much better than regular lotion, which does not even penetrate the surface of severely chapped skin.

Every time that I wash my hands, I apply some more allantoin cream. This is the only way I can avoid the pain of cracked skin during the cold months.

By orangey03 — On Apr 11, 2012

@Oceana – The body wash I use contains allantoin, but it is medicated to help with my acne. Since acne medication can really dry out the skin, the allantoin was necessary to counteract this.

I did buy a body wash containing allantoin last year, and it was supposed to be super moisturizing. However, my skin didn't need the extra moisture, because too much of it caused my acne to worsen. For people with normal skin, I imagine an allantoin body wash would be wonderful, though.

The amount of allantoin in the medicated body wash is just enough for me. The dryness of the acne skin treatment balances out the moisture level, so it is just right.

By Oceana — On Apr 10, 2012

Is allantoin ever used in body wash? I notice that the article says it can be used in homemade soap, so that made me wonder if big companies ever use it in the manufacture of their body washes and shower gels.

I never use bar soap, because I find it to be drying to my skin. I only use liquid soap, because it stands to reason that liquid will be more moisturizing.

I have never noticed allantoin as an ingredient in any of my bath products, but after reading this article, I want to see if I can find a body wash that does contain it. I have fairly dry skin, and anything I can do to add and conserve more moisture is helpful.

By anon159493 — On Mar 12, 2011

Does allantoin help thinning hair?

By anon146356 — On Jan 26, 2011

I have just received some allantoin from an ebay source but it's a liquid! Can this be correct?

By anon76229 — On Apr 09, 2010

Is allatoin the organic form of formaldehyde?

jaja, you make my day. Where did you study chemistry?

By anon73765 — On Mar 29, 2010

Who is trying to equate formaldehyde to allantoin? You need to go back and learn chemistry again. "Organic" formaldehyde? I don't even know how to respond to that. You can get formaldehyde from organic chemistry, but not organic farming.

By anon70647 — On Mar 15, 2010

If you are allergic to formaldehyde or it's releasing agents, do not use anything with allantoin in it as it is the organic form of formaldehyde. Look it up online!

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